Father Gary and Daughter Sage Steele: African-American Pioneers in U.S. Army & Sports Media

Multiple sources tell SportsbyBrooks.com that officials at the Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the annual Masters tournament, have demanded that ESPN drop African-American Sage Steele from hosting its on-air coverage at the Augusta golf club.

“I might be a little intimidated coming to this, but darn right I’m going to keep coming,” Steele said. “I might be out of my comfort zone, but that’s why I need to do it.”

Since opening in 1933, the Star reported that Augusta National Golf Club has admitted one African-American male member and two female members.

Earlier this month the 86-year-old golf club staged its first-ever women’s tournament.

After signing a multiyear contract with ESPN in 2017, Steele told the Star, “My family knows I’m good and ESPN has got my back.“

UPDATE: When contacted by SportsbyBrooks.com and asked if Sage Steele would serve in the same on-air capacity for ESPN in Augusta for The Masters in 2020 as she did in 2019, an ESPN spokesman declined comment.